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Apple Releases iOS 5.1 [Direct Links, Screenshots]

Apple just released the new version of iOS, iOS 5.1, through Software Update. Notable new features in this update include Siri support for Japanese users, a new camera shortcut, and new Camera app for iPad. Full changelog below.

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

Japanese language support for Siri (availability may be limited during initial rollout)

Audio for TV shows and movies on iPad optimized to sound louder and clearer

Podcast controls for playback speed and a 30 second rewind for iPad

Updated AT&T network indicator

Addresses bugs affecting battery life

Fixes an issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls

At the moment of writing this, the update server can't be reached with iTunes, but the over-the-air update is working through iOS devices. We'll update this story with more details as we install iOS 5.1 on our devices.

Direct Links

iOS 5.1 direct download links below (build number 9B176). We should also note that new devices have appeared in Apple's firmware server: iPad 2,4, iPad 3,1, iPad 3,2, iPad 3,3.

iPhone Screenshots

I have installed iOS 5.1 on my iPhone 4S, and it does indeed come with a new Lock screen camera shortcut, possibility to delete Photo Stream entries -- but it also breaks Settings URLs in apps like Launch Center, as previously reported. Siri is now available in Japanese, too. The new Camera icon in the Lock screen is always visible, and users can "drag" the Camera icon to show the entire camera view.

Screenshots below.

iPad Screenshots

We've been able to test iOS 5.1 on our iPad 2s, and we've included screenshots of the new features, as reported in the changelog. Overall, I can say the device feels a lot snappier with this final build of iOS 5.1 -- especially Safari, and this might be related to an updated version of WebKit being used in iOS 5.1.

Federico is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of MacStories, where he writes about Apple with a focus on apps, developers, and iOS productivity. He founded MacStories in April 2009 and has been writing about Apple since. Federico is also the co-host of AppStories, a weekly podcast exploring the world of apps.